Field checks on accuracy of popuulation and vital statistics

Abstract

During recent years, increasing emphasis has been attached to evaluate and publicize the accuracy of statistical series. This relatively new philosophy of admitting the possibility of error and the need to quantify it in order to indicate the degree of reliability of the results, to pin-point faulty procedures for correction when the collection procedure is repeated, and to correct or adjust the totals in some cases, permeates all fields of statistics. Application of this principle of evaluation to population and vital statistics is not easy because of the nature of the collection processes involved.